Not lovin' it: Prestons residents protest proposed extended hours

Disappointed: Prestons residents are opposed to plans for the McDonald's near their homes to extend its operating hours. Picture: Simon Bennett

A GROUP of Prestons residents are concerned that if the local McDonald's is allowed to extend its operating hours the fast food outlet may eventually be open around the clock.

Michael Andjelkovic, who lives close to the restaurant, which is now open from 6am to midnight but has applied with Liverpool Council to change its hours to 5am to midnight, said he thinks the current opening hours are long enough.

"I know that it seems like one hour isn't much, but they're already open for 18 hours," Mr Andjelkovic said.

"And staff usually get there an hour before opening to prepare and stay an hour after closing to clean up, so it ends up more like 20 hours and with these new times it will be 21 hours.

"They've already applied to be open from 5am and to be open for 24 hours and they were knocked back.

Mr Andjelkovic said the business was disruptive and not in the keeping with the character of the residential area.

"The big 'M' sign floods nearby houses with light, there are cooking odours, rubbish in nearby streets and they also get deliveries and garbage pick-ups at all hours.

"Residents have rights too. We just want to have some quiet in our own homes and we're only seeking six hours per night."

A Liverpool Council spokeswoman said the council was in the process of seeking further clarification regarding the use and intended operating hours of the site, before making a recommendation to the Independent Hearing and Assessment Panel.

She said the original development consent included controls in relation to noise, odour and light pollution, which were enforced by the council's community standards unit.

A McDonald's spokeswoman said the application was not part of a broader plan to move the restaurant to 24-hour trading.

"It is standard practice for our restaurants to be open at 5am due to customer demand and changing lifestyle habits," she said.

She said existing acoustic measures already in place would not be changed and waste would still be collected after 6am.

"We undertake daily litter patrols around the restaurant and actively encourage customers to dispose of their litter responsibly."